4 December 2003 – Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas Ople today advised Filipino tourists and OFWs to exercise caution during their travels due to reports that incidents of petty crimes committed against foreign travellers have been increasing.

Secretary Ople noted that in Spain, there has been an alarming rise in the incidents of thefts, assaults and other petty crimes committed against foreigners and elder citizens by immigrants from Eastern Europe and Northern Africa.

“I have received reports from the Philippine Embassy in Spain that incidents of petty crime against foreigners are most rampant in the big cities such as Madrid and Barcelona,” Secretary Ople said. “I therefore advise our kababayans to be extra careful while touring these cities.”

The Philippine Embassy in Madrid has issued flyers to Filipino tourists and OFWs, which details the modus operandi of the assailants.

The assaults are classified into three categories:

        1) Finders - Pickpockets who work in teams of 2-3. One of them will hold a map in front of the victim while his conspirators pick the latter’s pockets.

        2) Flowers – Gypsy ladies in teams of 3-4 will hand out flowers to the victim. They will later ask for a tip and snatch the victim’s wallet or purse when the victim gets money to give to them.

        3) Mustard – This is a trick performed by 3 assailants. One of them will squirt mustard on the victim’s back. The others will purport to help the victim while they pick his pockets.

The Embassy also advises travellers not to wear backpacks with zippers that open easily and to keep their passports and other travel documents at the hotel where they are staying so as to avoid being divested of them should they be assaulted. - END